Blue Ribbon Recipes

June 22, 2016
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Driving past the Grandstand to get to work this morning was different than usual.  There was a food vendor set up, getting ready for the Goodguys car show.  While the Fair is so much more than food, the two have become synonimous.  The first food stand is exciting, and now I want a tenderloin for lunch, but the Food Competition at the Iowa State Fair has been going on much longer than our obsession with deep fat fryers.  
 
In 1983 the Iowa State Fair published the first prize winning recipe cookbook.  The purpose has remained the same, to showcase the Iowa State Fair Food Department and the talent that makes it the largest competitive food department of any state fair.  This year's competition will feature 203 divisions and 809 classes.
 
As a college junior with no cooking skills, I can honestly say I’ve never studied a cookbook before today.  Looking through the best of the prize winning recipes from 2014 and 2015 though has spiked my interest.  There are options for everyone. The recipes range from appetizers, salads, main dishes, breads, and desserts.  Personally I’m most interested in the Chocolate Fried Chicken.  The carb lover in me also wants to try all 63 pages of breads.  If you’re looking to stay on a diet before pigging out at the Fair though, healthy choices are included.  Such as the cleverly named “Kale, Caesar!” salad that won 1st place in 2014 in the Healthy Creations (Featuring Kale) division.  
 
The 18th Edition Iowa State Fair Cookbook can now be ordered on our website, and purchased at the Fair. Cookbooks are $15 a piece.  If you’d like even more prize winning recipes, the 18th and 17th editions can be purchased together for $25.  
 
Purchase your Iowa State Fair Cookbook now to give yourself a headstart on your Fair food experience! 
-Kelsey